Tag: BidBuddy

Living Healthy: Eating Well, Even on a Budget

Welcome back to DealDash Blog’s Living Healthy series. Today’s blog is all about sharing ideas of how you can eat healthfully, even when you’re on a budget.

Most people have a basic idea of what it means to be a healthy eater – everyone is familiar with the Food Pyramid from elementary school, right? The problem is, sometimes making healthy food choices can really put a strain on your budget, especially if you are feeding a family of four or even more. Luckily, I have some easy strategies for you to try to incorporate into your daily life.

 

1 – Meal Planning. Strategy number one is really important to staying on budget – when you plan your meals out ahead of time (I like to do a week’s worth at a time) it allows you to buy healthy food in bulk at your local wholesale club and spread the goodness out over multiple meals. For example, if I were to buy the single mixed-greens bag of salad at the local supermarket it would cost me approximately $3, and last my family of four for just one meal. However, if I plan my meals ahead of time and I know that we are going to have salads three nights in the upcoming week I can buy the large box of mixed-greens at the wholesale club for $6 and have enough salad for all three nights. See? I just saved myself $3 by planning ahead.

 

2- Home Cooking. Strategy number two is really beneficial for both your health and your wallet. If my family of four decided that we would all like to have lasagna and we went to any of the mid-priced Italian restaurants in my area we would spend approximately $60 (I live right outside of Boston, it might be cheaper near you), and in addition to that the lasagna would most likely be made with lots of oil, white pasta, and full-fat cheese. However, if I were to make the exact same meal at home it costs less than $15, and I am able to use fat-free cheese, whole wheat pasta noodles, and even substitute some of the ricotta for cottage cheese. It tastes absolutely delicious, and it’s very healthy as well. In a quest to get my children to eat more veggies I also add mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and zucchini slices (Shhhhh…Don’t tell!)

 

3- Farmer’s Markets. Strategy number three may or may not work for you depending on where you live. In my area, there is a farmer’s market going on in my town and every small town around me. When you go to the farmer’s market you are getting delicious fruits and veggies that are extremely fresh because they are grown locally. In addition to that, the prices are definitely better than any supermarket around, especially if there are multiple vendors selling the same fruits and veggies. If you want to make your trip to the farmer’s market even healthier, try walking there! The weather is beautiful in August, and the fresh air is great for your body and mind.

 

I hope this article has encouraged you to try some of my strategies for living healthy on a budget. If you’re interested in getting some items to help you with cooking at home head on over to DealDash. DealDash has food processors, stand mixers, cookware, and plenty of other items that you can use. Check out the Kitchen & Appliances category and I’m sure that you’ll find something that you can use to make you and your family a little bit healthier. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!

Baby Talk: Let’s Talk Strollers!

How do you know what type of stroller to buy? Well, it depends what you need it for, of course! There are many different types of strollers depending on your needs and budget. Let’s talk strollers!

In this article we will go over some of the most popular types of strollers and when and where you would use them.  Included in this article is the Full Size Stroller Travel System, the Jogging Stroller, and the Lightweight Foldable Stroller. All of these strollers can be very useful, and serve specific purposes.Safety 1st SleekRide™Premier Travel System, Sail Away

The first type of stroller we will talk about is the Travel System, which includes a Full Size stroller. The travel system consists of a Full Size stroller, a “baby bucket” baby carrying system which doubles as a car seat, and a car seat base. The Full Size stroller usually has more “options” than any of the other strollers that we are going to talk about. These strollers almost always have at the bare minimum dual cup holders, place for your keys/wallet, and a large travel basket underneath. The Full Size stroller also usually has front and rear brakes. In addition to the Full Size stroller the Travel System also includes the baby bucket, which is a portable car seat with a handle you can use to carry the baby or transfer it from stroller to car. The Travel System also includes a car seat base, which attaches into your car and your baby bucket snaps into it easily. These sets are typically more expensive than just a stroller because of the multiple pieces.

Schwinn Turismo Double Jogging Stroller, Gray & Blue

Another very popular stroller is the jogging stroller. They are built on a sturdy base and have 3 wheels in a triangular pattern. They typically are more rugged and can stand more abuse than a regular stroller. They are used for jogging, walking, hiking, and other athletic pursuits. Jogging strollers usually have a place to put your water bottle, keys, etc.  The Jogging Stroller has a much better turning radius and you can use it to go in and out of crowds without accidentally running over anyone’s feet. Jogging Strollers have been picking up in popularity lately, everyone wants to be healthy!

The Lightweight Foldable Stroller is a great stroller to have. I have gotten more use of out this particular stroller than all of my other ones combined. They are so easy to just fold up and carry with you, stick them in a trunk, or some of them even have a strap so you can wear it on your back when you aren’t using it. Some of the nicer ones even have baskets underneath and cup holders.

After reading this article I hope that you have a better idea of what type of stroller that would be best for your child and family. All of these strollers have their own specific uses, and I myself own all of them, and use them in different situations. Good luck in finding your ideal stroller! How about starting your stroller search on DealDash? They have all types of strollers there, check out the Toys, Kids, & Baby section and see when the next stroller auction is coming up. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!

DealDash

Living Healthy: Let’s Learn About Yoga Together

Welcome back to DealDash Blog’s Living Healthy series. Today’s blog is going to give you a quick and easy introduction to yoga. Let’s get started!

I’m sure that you have heard the word “yoga” before, but I bet that you didn’t know that the word yoga came from the Sanskrit word “yuj”, which means to yoke or bind. Yuj is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline. If you are just getting started into the practice of yoga, you will be pleased to know that you can spend as much or as little time doing yoga and you will still be able to reap the benefits of this healthy and calming exercise. Even if you only practice yoga for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of that practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. I suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 30 minutes per session, that’s fine too. Don’t worry or stress, just get another practice in when you have the chance.

Here is an infographic of some of the most popular yoga poses. Please note the color coding on the infographic, some of these are advanced poses not meant for the beginner!

Yoga_Poses

Now that you’ve seen some of the poses, let’s talk about some of the benefits of practicing yoga. Here are some great reasons to start:

1- Sleep. Yoga can help you sleep better. When you start practicing yoga you’ll be releasing pent up energy that could prevent you from falling asleep, and sleeping soundly once you do get to sleep. Yoga helps relax your nervous system, which is the part of your body responsible for restful sleep or a night of tossing and turning.

2-  Builds muscle strength. Yoga requires you to get into and hold positions that will naturally strengthen your muscles, using only your body’s weight for resistance.

 

3- Lower blood pressure. Yoga is a great workout for your heart, and will improve your cardiovascular function over time.

4- Metabolism. Yoga helps improve your metabolism, which is directly responsible for helping you burn more calories with less work.

5- Better posture. Yoga will give you better posture naturally. All of the poses you’ll be performing are geared to get your body back into proper alignment the way that it should be.

 

 

I hope this article has encouraged you to take up the practice of yoga. If you’re interested in getting some items to get you started head on over to DealDash. DealDash has yoga mats, yoga balls, water bottles, and plenty of other items that you can use. Check out the Hobbies, Outdoors, & Sports category and I’m sure that you’ll find something that you just love. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!

 

 

 

Living Healthy: Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

 

Everyone knows that getting enough sleep is an important factor in staying healthy, but there are other factors than just getting 8 hours in. Let’s talk a little bit about Living Healthy, and how to get a good night’s sleep.

Everyone knows that you SHOULD get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night, but with kids, working extra hours on the job, household chores, and errands sometimes it’s hard to get to bed at a reasonable hour. You should really make your best effort to get your ZZZs, because your health can really suffer if you can’t make the time.  Not practicing healthy sleep habits can lead to all kinds of health problems, poor sleep leads to cardiovascular dysfunction, a poor immune system , glucose and insulin abnormalities, weight gain due to fluctuating hormones that control appetite, and impaired cognitive function. Not only those physical problems, but lack of sleep can also lead to mental issues as well, including anxiety, depression, impaired reasoning skills, and mental sluggishness.

Well, what can you do to get not only the quantity but also the quality of sleep that you need? There are a few things that are fairly obvious such as cutting down on caffeine (especially after 3 PM), keeping your bedroom dark and comfortable, and clearing your mind of troubles and worries before you attempt to drift off.

However, there are some lesser known tips and tricks to get a better night’s sleep that I will share with you. For instance, did you know that using your tablet and smartphone right before you try to sleep can hinder the process? The light that is emitted by these types of devices wake up the senses and make it harder for your brain to get into “sleep mode.” For your best night’s sleep turn off your electronic devices about an hour before bedtime. Another great trick to getting a good night’s sleep is to keep a fan going in your bedroom all night. The fan serves two purposes – It’s easier to fall asleep when your room is a bit on the cooler side, and the fan also provides just the right amount of “white noise” to help you block out every little creak and crack that your house makes at night.

 

I hope this article helps you on a journey to better sleeping habits. If you’re interested in getting some new soothing items for your bedroom, including the fan that I recommended head on over to DealDash. If you browse the Home & Office   category I’m sure that you’ll find something that you just love. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!

 

 

 

All-Season Gardening with Gardman and DealDash

Do you know what can help make a great summer even better? Awesome outdoor gardening items from Gardman!

Do you have a garden or a small greenhouse in your yard? Gardman has a super selection of different outdoor gardening products – there’s the Four Tier Mini Greenhouse, the Walk-In 4X6 Greenhouse, the R700 5-Shelf Steel Frame Greenhouse, and finally the  Foldaway R616 Garden Kneeler Seat for when you’re feeling like you need a little comfort. I’ve seen for myself that their greenhouses are durable, hold up to the elements, are easy to put together, and can grow amazing amounts of plants and flowers in a relatively small space.

If you’re interested in the background of Gardman, Gardman USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gardman Ltd., the UK’s leading supplier of lawn and garden, and wild bird care products. They are known for innovative and high quality products without breaking the bank to buy them. Gardman USA has established itself as one of the key suppliers to the independent garden center trade. Gardman closely follows the design trends in Europe but keeps an eye toward American tastes. Gardman USA also follows market trends in Australia, China, and the UK for inspiration on new product development.

 

If you’re just starting to get the idea that you would like to get a greenhouse, might I suggest that you start with the Gardman Four Tier Mini Greenhouse? It’s great because you can see if you like having a greenhouse in your garden, but it really doesn’t take up that much space at all, pretty much any size garden can accommodate this multi-tier mini greenhouse. You can put the Gardman Four Tier Mini Greenhouse on a deck, patio, or balcony. It has a sturdy, tubular steel frame and a removable, clear plastic cover with full length roll up zippered access. Inside, there are shelves for pots and seed trays. You can propagate your seeds while adding a little decoration to your garden with this  multi-tier mini greenhouse.

 

If you have moved past the mini greenhouse stage and are ready for something a little bigger, the Walk-In 4X6 Greenhouse with shelving might be right up your alley. This greenhouse offers plenty of space for pots and gardening tools and comes with multiple open shelves.Design-wise it has a heavy-duty reinforced cover and a roll-up door. Pegs and guy ropes are included for additional stability. No tools are required for assembly of this unique structure. In addition to that, Gardman even offers a 1 year warranty on this greenhouse!

 

If you’re ready to take the plunge into owning a greenhouse, DealDash offers a variety of Gardman greenhouses for your bidding pleasure. You can set your Bid Buddy and get one of these great products for a fraction of the cost! If you don’t happen to win the auction, though, you can still be a winner by using BIN (Buy it Now). When you BIN you get the product that you wanted, all of your bids back, free shipping, and keep all of the bids that you won as being the highest bidder. Good luck and happy bidding everyone.